The 2024-2025 Softball season kicked off in exciting fashion as the Rams secured back-to-back wins in their first two games. Randolph opened the season on Tuesday, April 1 with a 13-9 victory against West Morris Central and carried that momentum into the next day to defeat Pope John 4-3 on Wednesday, April 2.
Randolph did not lose many seniors from last season to graduation, allowing the program to have a considerable number of returners, which resulted in strong team chemistry. In these early games, this was essential to the Rams’ success. With a combination of timely hitting, solid pitching and unwavering team chemistry, the team is poised to enjoy a successful season going forward.
“The team’s mindset going into the season I think has been one of proving to everyone that they belong and that they are a team to be reckoned with,” said Ashley Kanya, the varsity head coach.
At the West Morris Central game, the Rams started out strong in the top of the first inning when junior Cassidy Smith hit a line drive double to left field. Junior Hayley Arigo followed this with a single up the middle, allowing Smith to score, giving the Rams the lead.
Leading off the fourth inning, junior Daniella Gizienski singled to left field to get on base. The Rams stringed together more hits with contributions from senior co-captain Autumn Liebhauser, sophomore Ellie Latch, Smith and Arigo to score four more runs, giving Randolph the 5-0 lead. However, West Morris quickly responded with four runs in the bottom of the fourth to close the gap.
Both teams continued to score more runs while maintaining solid defense, but the Rams were ultimately able to hold the lead and secure the win, 13-9.
“Everyone was aware of their role on the team and how to execute it, which gave us a great connection and reliance on one another,” senior co-captain Hannah Bermudez said.
The Rams had a lot of momentum coming off their first win and used this to their advantage, playing an intense game against Pope John on April 2.
Pope John struck first in the third and fifth innings to take the lead, 2-0. The Rams demonstrated outstanding defense to support their pitcher, junior Breanna Colburn, who threw a solid game.
Randolph capitalized on Pope John’s fielding errors to put runners in scoring positions. Senior Olivia Madayag-Williamswas put in as a pinch hitter and laid down a sacrifice bunt, making the Pope John defense scramble.
Gizienski hit a double to score Randolph’s first run. Throughout the inning, the Rams managed to string together a few hits and put the ball in play. This got a few more crucial runs on the board for Randolph.
“In our last game, we were losing the whole time, but we came back in the 6th inning, scoring four runs to take the lead, 4-2,” Liebhauser said. “The bottom of our lineup really stepped up against tough pitching, getting on base and scoring runs.”
The Rams then secured the final three outs to end the game, 4-3. The Rams take on Morris Knolls next, today, Friday, April 4.
